take in a deep - ehs.ncpublichealth.comehs.ncpublichealth.com/oet/docs/cit/ehsmod/o-radon.pdf ·...

Take in a Deep Breath!

Blow It Out!!!

Radon is a naturally occurring gas emitted from

the earth.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive

gas.

It is a naturally occurring gas that enters buildings, homes

and the environment from the surrounding soil.

URANIUM

RADIUM

RADON GAS

It comes from the decay of Uranium which decays into Radium and then in

to Radon gas.

Medical X-rays11%

Radon54%

Cosmic8%

Terrestrial8%

Consumer Products

3%

Nuclear Medicine4%

Internal11%

Other1%

Typical Annual Radiation Exposure ...

360 mrem/yr

Annual Exposure from Common Activities

Diet Smoking

40 mrem 5000 mrem 200 mrem

Watching TV Natural Gas

0.7 mrem 9 mrem

RADON

Courtesy of David C Howell, Radiation Safety Officer-Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center

Annual Exposure from Common Activities

Medical US Flight Nuclear Power

53 mrem 5 mrem/trip <0.05 mrem

Building Materials Airport X-ray

7 mrem 0.002 mrem Courtesy of David C Howell, Radiation Safety Officer-Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center

Radon Decay Products

Radon

Radon

Radon decays into radioactive particles known as Radon Decay Products or RDP’s. RDP’s are easily inhaled and deposited in the lungs where they can damage sensitive lung tissue.

Radioactive decay of Radon atom

Emits α radiation Emits γ radiation

Radon Decay Products

℘ Polonium 218

℘ Polonium 214

• Plastic chip from passive radon test (alpha track)

• Magnified only 100 times

• 3 months at EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L

Highly radioactive particles (RDP’s) stick to lung tissue, where they can irradiate sensitive cells.

Radiation can alter the cells, sometimes damaging the DNA of the lung cells, thus increasing the potential for cancer.

Image from: www.hipusa.com/eTools/webmd/A-Z_Encyclopedia/lungcancerbasics.htm

Image from: //health.allrefer.com/health/cancer-lung-cancer-frontal-chest-x-ray.html

Depends largely on:

Quantity of Radon

Amount of time spent in home

Smoker vs Non-Smoker

Radon is a National

Problem...

Radon is a North Carolina

Problem...

Zone 2: Moderate Potential

(2-4 pCi/L)

Zone 1: Highest Potential

(> 4 pCi/L)

Zone 3: Low Potential

(< 2 pCi/L)

Radon Prevalence in NC

Air movement through soil Cracks in foundations

Through well water

Also through some building materials (ie. Concrete)

that have the potential to contain and emit Radon.

1. Uranium in Soil

2. Permeable Soil

3. Pathways

4. Lower Air Pressure in Home than in Surrounding Soil

• Exhaust Systems

• HVAC, house fans, etc.

• Thermal Stack Effect

• Weather Conditions • Excessive rain, snow, wind

1.2 pCi/L

0.3 pCi/L

6.8 pCi/L 2.1

pCi/L 0.5

pCi/L

4.8 pCi/L 10.0

pCi/L 1.4 pCi/L

•Hardware Stores

•Internet

Average Costs:

Short-Term Kits: $10-$20

Long-Term Kits: $15-$25

Takes 3-7 days

Inexpensive

Easy

Takes 91+ days

Repeat the test in the same location. (If possible repeat with a Long-Term Test)

If the second test is above 4 pCi/L…

Call a certified Radon Mitigator

Method of removing Radon from the home via ventilation through a PVC pipe and out

above the roof.

Home Under Construction:

Less than $500

Existing Home:

$500 - $2000

Measurement and mitigation contractors certified by NEHA or NRSB have been trained and carry ID cards.

Decrease the amount of Radon in the home/building Improved Air Quality

•Decreased moisture

•Decreased mold and other moisture irritants

Images from http://www.bgctechnologies.com/newradon/h_water_systems.html

Also available on the web…

www.ncradon.org

Guilford County

Wake County Env. Health

Wake County Schools

Buncombe County

Division of Water Quality, Asheville

Division of Air Quality, Asheville